The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
